John Hyde of Chicopee arrested for allegedly stealing meat from his employer, Arnold's Meats in East Longmeadow

PALMER – A 37-year-old Chicopee man denied larceny charges in Palmer District Court on Thursday after he was arrested for stealing two 16-pound ribeye steaks from his employer, Arnold’s Meats in East Longmeadow.

John Hyde, of 635 Pendleton Ave., Apt. 1B, was arrested by East Longmeadow police after he was allegedly observed removing the meat from his pants and placing it inside a cooler in his car.

East Longmeadow Detective Sgt. Patrick Manley said the department had received information that Hyde had been taking meat and reselling it. Manley said police believe the thefts have been occurring for some time; police set up surveillance to watch Hyde as he walked to his car during breaks.

Detective Joseph Barone wrote in his report included in the court file that he observed Hyde “walking in an unusual manner, his gait awkward, as if he was concealing something on his person.”

Manley said Hyde was a meat cutter at the Shaker Road company, and had worked there for approximately seven years. While in custody, he said Hyde got a text message on his phone ordering ribeye steaks.

The steaks seized by police were worth $100 each, Manley said.

Hyde, who was charged with larceny under $250 and larceny over $250 by a single scheme, will return to court on Dec. 20 for a pretrial conference. He was released on his own recognizance by Judge Patricia T. Poehler at his arraignment.